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Don’t walk out

Two of the POA board members, Frank Leeming and Jeff Atkins, recently walked out of a board meeting because the meeting wasn’t open to the public. Whether I agree with that position or not, the privacy of the board meetings is not the point of this message. It is the fact that Leeming and Atkins clearly failed to represent their constituency by walking out of the board meeting.

They may, or may not, be correct that the board meeting should have been public; but walking out of a board meeting is abhorrent and reprehensible. They were elected to represent the Villagers and have a fiduciary responsibility to do so. They certainly cannot do so by walking out of board meetings like spoiled children – and not being involved in discussions that affect the lives and future of all of the faithful Villagers.

The finances of the Village are a very important topic that requires the input of all the board members. That’s why they were elected. If they are unwilling to participate in the board discussions, then they should remove themselves from the board and let someone serve who is willing to work towards making the Village a viable entity for the future.

While I appreciate their willingness to serve our community, the time may have come for them to consider whether they can continue do so in a manner consistent with the stated Mission of the board: “to assure the viability of Hot Springs Village by establishing and managing goals and objectives, and to ensure that the voice of the property owner is represented.” Not attending meetings due to some perceived violation of a procedural rule certainly does not give us that representation.

Leeming and Atkins need to reevaluate their positions and demonstrate that they can represent the Villagers in a manner consistent with the “shared values” entrusted to them by the loyal Villagers who elected them.